From Kerala's distinct flavours to Goa's festive treats, every corner of India brings something special to the Christmas dinner table. Let’s take a journey through some of the most beloved Christmas sweets across the country!

1. Avalosunda Made with rice, jaggery, and sometimes coconut powder, Avalosunda is a traditional festive snack from Kerala. The ingredients are roasted together until they form a sticky, sweet dough, which is then shaped into firm yet soft rounds. Often enjoyed with a hot cup of tea, this treat adds a touch of warmth to a cold December evening.

2. Dodol Known for its chewy, caramel-like texture, Dodol is a Christmas favourite in Goa. Made from rice flour, jaggery, and coconut milk, the mixture is simmered over low heat until it thickens into a smooth, glossy consistency and then poured into moulds to set. Influenced by Portuguese culture, Dodol is also popular in Sri Lanka, especially during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

3. Rose cookies Rose cookies, or akara pitha, are an iconic Christmas treat believed to have Dutch origins. Popular in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, these intricate flower-shaped cookies are made from rice flour, coconut, sugar, and cardamom.

The smooth batter is deep-fried in ghee using a specially designed rose-shaped mould, resulting in a crispy, golden treat. The rice flour’s nuttiness blends beautifully with the fragrant coconut and cardamom, while the ghee adds a rich, buttery taste.

4. Sannas Sannas are fluffy,  mildly sweet steamed breads that are a staple at Goan Christmas feasts. Made from rice flour, yeast (or traditionally toddy), and coconut milk, they have a light, airy texture and are whiter compared to idlis. These pillowy soft breads are often served with curries or enjoyed as a dessert, making them a cherished part of Christmas Eve spreads.

Image courtesy Aromatic Essence

5. Marzipan Marzipan is a sweet treat that originated in Persia and later spread to Europe in the 16th century. In Goa, it’s made with cashews instead of almonds, resulting in a flavour reminiscent of kaju barfi. The Goan version is shaped into playful figures, often depicting fruits or animals. Such a delightful addition to Christmas celebrations!

Image courtesy Aromatic Essence

6. Neureos Neureos are crispy, deep-fried pastry pockets filled with a sweet mixture of coconut, jaggery, and dry fruits. A beloved Christmas delicacy in Goa, they are similar to karanji, another popular Indian sweet.

The dough is rolled into thin circles, filled with the mixture, and fried until golden and crisp, creating a perfect balance of crunch and sweetness. Neureos are also an important part of ‘Consoada’, a tradition in Goa where sweets are sent to loved ones to share the festive joy.

Image courtesy Dassana’s Veg Recipes

7. Bebinca A quintessential Goan dessert, Bebinca is a layered pudding made with coconut milk, sugar, eggs, and flour. Traditional Bebinca has between seven and 16 layers, each baked individually and topped with ghee until caramelised, creating a rich, golden texture.

Legend has it that Bebinca was created in 17th-century Goa by Sister Bebiana of the Convento da Santa Monica. Nuns used egg whites to bleach their habits, leaving behind excess yolks. Sister Bebiana used these yolks to create the pudding, which was later named Bebinca in her honour.

8. Plum cake Plum cake, a Kerala Christmas classic, traces its origins to 1883 when merchant Murdock Brown asked baker Mambally Bapu to create a Christmas cake. Combining dried fruits, nuts, and spices with rum or wine, Bapu’s version became a festive favourite.

Slow-baked for a rich, moist texture, this flavourful cake, infused with alcohol, remains a beloved part of Kerala’s holiday traditions.

9. Sticky rice cakes Sticky rice cakes, known as ‘hao khamui’, ‘tang-hou’, and ‘niekhruda’ in Northeast India, are a traditional Christmas treat in Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam, thanks to the region's ample supply of short-grain sticky rice.

The rice is pounded into a smooth batter, wrapped in marini or ginger lily leaves, and steamed or boiled. These chewy, flavourful cakes are often enjoyed with rice beer or red tea, making them a festive staple during the holiday season.

10. Christmas pudding A fragrant, boozy delight, Christmas pudding is a festive classic enjoyed across India, especially in regions influenced by British colonial traditions. Made with a mix of dried fruits, citrus zest, nuts, and spices soaked in brandy, it’s traditionally steamed to a dense, moist, and rich texture.

Often mistaken for fruit cake, Christmas pudding is sweeter, more flavourful, and best enjoyed with age. Its origins trace back to Victorian Britain, where families would prepare it weeks before Christmas.